Nail clipper sharpener



Jan. 9, 1934. c. P. MURPHY NAIL CLIPPER SHARPENER Filed Aug. 29, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR C. PMufphy,

BY M M;6M7/' ATTORNEYS WITNESSES Jan. 9, 1934. c. P. MURPHY NAIL CLIPPER SHARPENER Filed Aug. 29, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ZPMurph a B TTORNEYS WlTN 1555:2294; fi bW Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Sharpeners, and its objects are as follows:

First, to provide a finger nail clipper and a sharpener therefor so combined therewith that the sharpener can readily be moved to operative and inoperative positions, and when in the inoperative position will be held there so as not to be in the way.

Second, to provide a spring and means to limit its action in one direction respectively to move the sharpener into a mid position between the frames of the clipper and hold it there.

Third, to provide a sharpener which is loosely anchored to the clipper so that it can be easily slid back and forth across the cutting edges, and which will spring back into an inoperative and housed position with reference to the clipper when released.

Fourth, to provide the combination of a known nail clipper of the lever type and a sharpener for the cutting edges thereof, said lever being movable according to one plan into a final leverposition for clipping finger nails without disturbing the sharpener, then movable first away from and then back to said final position respectively to bring the sharpener into operative position and to restore the lever to said lever-position for pressing the cutting edges toward each other preparatory to the sharpening operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a finger nail clipper showing the sharpener combined therewith.

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail cross section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the clipper closed for the sharpening act, the sharpener being in position for sharpening, parts being shown in section.

Figure 5 is a detail cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the so-called tracks for the slider.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the uppermost screw in Figure 7.

In the drawings the nail clipper 1 is of a more or less familiar type. It comprises frames 2, 3 which are joined at 4 at one end and at the other end have cutting edges 5. These edges are straight-edged when looking down on them but concaved in the direction of their length when looking at the sharpened edges. The clipper is resilient at the joint 4.

The enlarged sides 6 of the frames adequately house the sharpening means when not in use as clearly shown in Figure 1. One of the sides 6 has a slot '7. The enlarged sides 6 are pressed out of the frames producing recesses 8. One of the frames (3) has a hole 9 (Fig. 2) communicating with the adjacent recess. The respective frame has an opening 10 in its flat side 6 (Figs.

2 and 6).

A shaft 11 extends completely through the slot 7 and opening 10. The slot and opening are in alinement for the purpose. The shaft is turnable both clockwise and counterclockwise. It has a lever 12 attached to the projecting end (Figs. 1 and 2), which lever is located on the outside of the frame 2. This lever corresponds with the lever of a known type of nail clipper. It has a small bridge piece 13 which fits in a notch 13 in the projecting end of the shaft.

The outward pressure of the frames 2, 3 keeps the bridge piece in place, and prevents free swings0 ing of the lever. The lever is adapted to be pressed upon to operate the clipper for nail clipping purposes. To that end it has a fulcrum 12*. One surface of the lever is roughened at 14. (Fig. 1) to comprise a file.

For normally using the clipper to clip finger nails the lever 12, consequently the shaft 11, is swung clockwise 180 from the full line position in Fig. 1. The lever is swung forwardly until the fulcrum 12 contacts the side 6 as shown in dotted lines. In the last swing the lever then turns on the bridge piece 13 without turning the shaft 11. For bringing the sharpening means into operative position the lever 12 is turned counter-clockwise 90 from the full line position in Fig. 1.

The shaft 11 is turned likewise. The sharpening device must then be held with the fingers of one hand while the lever 12 is turned clockwise 90 and thereby restored to the dotted line position in Fig. 1. The sharpening device is then ready to be slid back and forth, and the lever 12 must be pressed upon to move the cutting edges 5 toward each other so that they can be sharpened. The foregoing 90 counter-clockwise turn of the 0 shaft 11 is adapted to turn the sleeve 20 correspondingly by virtue of the pressure of the stud 19 against the pin 23.

The fiange 22 has a pin 24 (Figs. 1 and 2) on the side opposite to the pin 23. The sleeve has lappingrelationship (Figs. 3 and 4).

hard upon them against washers 45.

two holes (Fig. 4) in which one end of a spring 26 (Fig. 2) is secured. The other end 27 of the spring goes through a slot 28 in the sleeve 20 and is permanently fitted in the hole 9. The spring 26 is put under tension when the sleeve 20 is turned counter-clockwise by means of the lever 12, shaft 11, stud 19 and pin 23. When permitted to do so the spring 26 turns the sleeve 20 back clockwise.

The slot 28 is long enough to clear the spring end 27 in each direction of turning of the sleeve 20. The foregoing clockwise turn of the sleeve under pressure of the spring 26, is limited by the engagement of a pin 29 (Fig. 1) with, a stop 30. The pin is carried by the sleeve 20 and the stop by the adjacent side 6. When the lever 12 is turned clockwise a half circle preparatory to establishing its clipping position, the stud 19 de parts from the pin 23 without in any way disturbing the sharpening means.

i The sleeve 20, is situated between the right side 6.(Fig. 2) and the collar 18. The collar 18 keeps the sleeve in place. Any possibility of binding between the flange 22 and .collar 18 is prevented by the spring end 27' going through the sleeve slot 28. The spring end keeps the sleeve from slipping to the left.

' A thimble 31 loosely receives the right or inner end of the shaft 11. The shaft is free to turn in'either direction, as already brought out, this turning occurring inside of the thimble. The thimble'31 has rims 32 on which the sleeve 20 has bearing. These rims have a turning fit inside of,

the sleeve. In addition to supporting the sleeve the rims 32 keep the spring 26 in place.

A slider 33 is loosely fitted on the sleeve 22. It has a large central slot 34 to receive the sleeve 20. There is a lateral extension 35 on which a pair of cutter wheels 36 is revolubly mounted in over- One end of the slider is slotted at 37 to receive the pin 24. It is the engagement of the pin with the slot that establishes a coupling causing the slider 33 to turn a quarter circle in the counter-clockwise direction by moving the lever 12 correspondingly, and this against the tension of the spring 26 as explained before. The wheels 36 are thus brought within range of the cutting edges 5 (Figs. 4 and 5) whereupon a back and forth movement of the slider after having pressed the cutting edge toward each other by means of the lever 12 will do the sharpening.

The opposite upstanding ends 38 are concaved to provide finger rests while gripping the slider for the sharpening movements. 'The upstanding sides'38 of the'slider are slotted at '40. Each slot receives a track 41 (Figs. 6 and 7). Each track is attached to the sleeve 20 in diametrically opposite positions.

The attachment is made by pairs of screws 42, The heads of the screws 42 are received by recesses 44 on the inside of the sleeve 20. Their threaded shanks project in radially opposite directions and have the screws 43 screwed down The combined screws 42, 43 constitute trunnions which occupy holes 46 (Fig. 7) in the tracks 41 and on which the tracks have limited turning.

A flanged collar 47 (Fig. 6) between the head of one of the screws 43 and the respective track spring is to turn the slider 33 counter-clockwise, looking at the slider when in the position in Figures 1 and 2, thereby to engage the slot 37 with the pin 24 and so couple the slider 33 with the sleeve 20 as to keep the slider in the pendent position between the frames 2, 3 when not in use.

Flanges 51 (Figs. 6 and 7) on the tracks 41 limit the lateral motion of the slider 33 with respect to the tracks. The lateral motion is necessary to adapt the cutter wheels 36 to the curvature (Fig. 5) of the cutting edges 5. The lateral motion is provided for by making the tracks 41 a 'little deeper than the over-all width of the slider between the upstanding sides 39. The amount of room thus provided is indicated at 52 (Figs. 4 and 6).

The operation 33 will'hang down between the frames 2, 3. It

does so because the 81011112 26 tends to; turn the sleeve 20 clockwise, looking at the lever 12. The

clockwise turn is limited by the engagementof the pin 29 with the stop 30. The slider 33, by means of its tracks 41, has limited turning on the trunnions 42, 43, and normally the spring 48 tends to turn the slider counter-clockwise (arrow (1, Fig. 2) engaging 37 with 24 and coupling the slider to the sleeve.

Should the edges 5 need sharpening, move the lever 12 from its rest position (Figs. 1 and 2) 180 or a half circle in the clockwise direction (arrow b). The lever is now pointing up instead of down. Turn the lever over toward you through a half circle until the fulcrum 12 rests against the side 6 as shown in dotted lines. In the first motion of the lever the shaftll was turned a half circle in the clockwise direction. This was an idle turn.

Getting back to the lever 12, turn this. now, a quarter circle in the counter-clockwise direction. The stud 19 picks up the pin 23 and turns the sleeve 20 correspondingly, increasing the tension of the spring 26.. This counter-clockwise turn moves the slider 33 from the position in Figure 3 to the position 'in Figure 5, placing the cutter. wheels 36 at one end of the edges 5 in readiness for sharpening.

Hold the slider 33 in that position (Fig. 5) with the fingers of one hand. This is necessary because the spring 26 tends to return the slider. Now move the lever 12 back in the clockwise direction through a quarter circle still holding the slider 33."

properly regulating the pressure on the lever 12.

until the sharpening operation is completed.

When said operation is completed let go of the slider 33. The spring 26 restores the sleeve 20 of the slider ,to the. original pendent position (Figs. 1 and 2). The return motion is limited by the re-engagement of the pins '23, '29 with the stud 19 and stop 30. The lever 12 will be swung forwardly until it points upwardly, then turned counter-clockwise a half circle until it is back in the full line position in Figures 1 and 2.

While herein is shown and described one preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that it is not intended to be limited or confined to the precise arrangement herein described, as variations and modifications may be made within the'scope of the claims without nected frames and cutting edges on the frames,

sharpening means for the cutting edges, carrying means for the sharpening means, means to loosely mount the carrying means on at least one of the frames, and means to move the carrying means and consequently the sharpening means into operative and inoperative positions on its loose mount with respect to the cutting edges.

5. A nail clipper comprising frames resiliently connected and cutting edges on each of the frames, sharpening means for the cutting edges, carrying means for the sharpening means, and means to normally keep the carrying means between the frames and the sharpening means out of the way of the cutting edges.

6. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, sharpening means for the cutting edges, carrying means for the sharpening means, means to loosely mount the carrying means on one of the frames, resilient means to act on the carrying means and normally position it between the frames so that the sharpening means is out of the way of the cutting edges, and a lever manually movable against the tension of the resilient means to move the carrying means and its sharpening means into an operative position with respect to the cutting edges.

'7. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, sharpening means for the cutting edges, carrying means for the sharpening means, means to loosely mount the carrying means on at least one of the frames, a spring to turn the carrying means in one direction, means to limit said turning so that the carrying means becomes stationed between the frames and the sharpening means placed off to one side of the cutting edges, and a lever to turn the carrying means in the other direction against the tension of the spring to bring the sharpening means up into a sharpening position with respect to the cutting edges.

8. A nail clipper comprising frames and straight-edged cutting edges concaved in the direction of their length, sharpening means for the cutting edges, carrying means for the sharpening means, mounting means to loosely mount the carrying means on at least one of the frames, and tracks on which the carrying means is movable in the sharpening operation, said tracks being part of the mounting means and wider than the carrying means to allow the carrying means lateral motion respecting the tracks when the sharpening means traverses the concavity of the cutting edges.

9. In a nail clipper having frames and straight-edged cutting edges concaved in the direction of their length, sharpening means for the cutting edges, a slider carrying the sharpening means, a track for the slider to move on when the sharpening means is in operative position respecting said edges, said track being wider than the slider to allow lateral motion as the sharpening means traverses the concavity of said edges, and means to mount the tracks on at least one of the frames.

10. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, sharpening means for the cutting edges, a slider and means to mount the sharpening means on the slider, said slider having a large central slot and a smaller slot, a sleeve and means to mount it on one of the frames, said sleeve occupying the large central slot, a spring tending to turn the sleeve in one direction, and a pin carried by the sleeve occupying the smallest slot to couple the sleeve and slider together and move the slider with the sleeve.

11. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges,sharpening means for the cutting edges, a slider and means to mount the sharpening means on the slider, said slider having a large central slot and a smaller slot, a sleeve and means to mount it on one of the frames, said sleeve occupying the large central slot, a spring tending to turn the sleeve in one direction, a pin carried by the sleeve occupying the smallest slot to couple the sleeve and slider together and move the slider with the sleeve, and means to yieldably hold the smallest slot in engagement with the pin.

12. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, sharpening means for the cutting edges, a slider and means to mount the sharpening means on the slider, said slider having a large central slot and a smaller slot, a sleeve and means to mount it on one of the frames, said sleeve occupying the large central slot, a spring tending to turn the sleeve in one direction, a pin carried by the sleeve occupying the smallest slot to couple the sleeve and slider together and move the slider with the sleeve, means to support the slider for turning with respect to the sleeve, and means to turn the slider in one direction on its support so as to keep the smallest slot engaged with the pin.

13. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, a turnable shaft carried by at least one of the frames and means for turning the shaft, a sleeve on the shaft, a slider movable by the shaft turning means, sharpening means mounted on the slider, a spring to turn the sleeve in one direction on the shaft without affecting the shaft, and stud and pin connections between the sleeve and shaft for turning the sleeve against the spring when turning the shaft in the opposite direction.

14. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, a shaft and means for mounting it on at least one of the frames, a thimble loose on the shaft and having end rims, a sleeve having bearing on the rims and having a slot, a spring carried by the thimble having one end secured to the sleeve and the other passing through the slot to a point of connection with a frame, a slider and coupling means between the slider and sleeve, sharpening means on the slider, said slider being moved to a normal operative position between the frame, a lever to turn the shaft, and a stud and pin connection between the shaft and sleeve to correspondingly turn the sleeve and slider into an operative position on the sharpening means with respect to the cutting edges.

' 15. A nail clipper comprising frames and cutting edges, a shaft and means for mounting it on at least one of the frames, a thimble loose on the shaft and having end rims, a sleeve having bearing on the rims and having a slot, a spring carried by the thirnble having one end secured to the sleeve and the other passing through the slot to a point of connection with a frame, a slider and coupling means between the slider and sleeve, sharpening means on the slider, said slider being moved to a normal operative position between the frame, a lever to turn the shaft, a stud and sleeve diametrically opposite each other, tracks.

turnably carried by the trunnions, a slider ,hav ing. sides with slots receiving,, th e tracks, and sharpening'means on the slider to traverse the cutting edges of the nail clipper upon,,movement of the slider along .the tracks.

CHARLESP. MURPHY. 

